Interests

One Final Piece of Advice

May 17, 2013

I can hardly believe that this is my last blog ever for Spider Diaries! After 3 years of blogging for the Office of Admission, I’m finally bowing out (maybe one of you can apply for the new position!). It’s been a crazy, winding ride, from learning the ropes freshman year to studying abroad sophomore year to having the two craziest semesters ever during my junior year. Now, I’ve finished my second to last set of finals (!!) and I’m getting prepared to start my first major internship with an incredible non-profit (HALO Foundation) on Tuesday. I can’t believe how far I’ve come since I was a first-year moving into a tiny room in Moore Hall. Now, in about 7 months, I’ll be out in the real world looking for jobs with my shiny new college degree. Goodness.

If you’ve read any of my other blogs you know that I favor lists. But for my last blog, I think I need to mix it up. So here’s my one final piece of advice for you, whether you’re an incoming first-year or a prospective student: no matter what, stay true to yourself. I know that it’s tacky and everyone says that while you’re applying to colleges, but it’s true. From the admissions process to your first year at a new school, the most important part will be always remaining true to your values, commitments, and sense of self. Most college students DO grow and change; after all, that’s what college is for. But the best advice that I can give you is to never let growing up or the little mature changes that will unavoidably happen in the next 4 or 5 years change the heart of what you believe in. It’s easy to want to be like the crowd, but it’s hard, valuable, and impressive to be yourself, even if it makes you stand out.

So best of luck and enjoy the ride!

Short and Sweet:

1. I love to travel (anywhere, anytime, to do anything).

2. I just got back from Northern Ireland (come to Richmond and study abroad.. seriously!).

3. I'm an RA for first-year women... back to the old stomping grounds of Moore Hall!

4. I'm in a nationally-recognized service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. On the weekends you'll see me hanging out at charity walks and playing with puppies.

5. I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up and that's okay.

6. I love rollercoasters, but I only just became tall enough to ride some of them!

7. I'm an advocate of leaping before you look (most of the time).

8. My favorite thing to do in Richmond is to hang out in Cary Town... go to Stuzzi (pizza) or Mom's Siam (Thai) if you're ever in town.

9. I've moved 14 times! Growing up as an Army brat was an awesome experience.

10. I came to UofR because of the great study abroad opportunities, the incredible campus, the warm-hearted people, and the amazing array of possibilities!